Outdoor Learning for Preschool and Primary Educators: Teach Math, Language, Sustainability, and Art Beyond the Walls
Learning from best practice in kindergartens and schools
Erasmus+ course summary
Outdoor learning stimulates creativity and problem-solving in real-world contexts. The less structured and more open-ended nature of outdoor settings encourages students to engage more deeply in learning while simultaneously developing social skills. This training targets preschool and primary educators eager to extend their classrooms beyond traditional boundaries. Participants will explore teaching core subjects like math, science, social science, language, and art in outdoor settings. Led by experienced teacher colleagues, this highly practical course will guide educators in redesigning their lesson plans to integrate outdoor elements.
Outdoor learning stimulates creativity and problem-solving in real-world contexts. The less structured and more open-ended nature of outdoor settings encourages students to engage more deeply in learning while simultaneously developing social skills. This training targets preschool and primary educators eager to extend their classrooms beyond traditional boundaries. Participants will explore teaching core subjects like math, science, social science, language, and art in outdoor settings. Led by experienced teacher colleagues, this highly practical course will guide educators in redesigning their lesson plans to integrate outdoor elements.
"Tell me and I'll forget. Teach me and I'll remember. Involve me and I'll learn." – Benjamin Franklin
Upcoming dates
2025 |
CITY |
STATUS |
20 - 24 October A ONE-TIME OPPORTUNITY |
Ljubljana, SI |
COURSE FEE: 400 euros / 5 day course
+ 4 lunches at the schools and 2 afternoon excursions after the study visits outside Ljubljana for 75 euros
+ 4 lunches at the schools and 2 afternoon excursions after the study visits outside Ljubljana for 75 euros
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Dates or location not convenient?
Contact us to explore alternatives together. |
Status options:
open for registration / confirmed / full. |
Practice inquiry-based learning.
A journey from lecturing to facilitating. As learning new teaching methods is important, intensive personal growth is critical for successful teaching based on inquiry.
ExperienceFirst-hand experience with outside learning methods.
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GrowthPersonal capacity to practice inquiry-based learning.
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Hands-on materialLearning material with hands-on activities to practice outdoor learning.
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Course Content
PROGRAMME DAY-BY-DAY
Schools and kindergartens are integral part of the course. During the study visits participants immerse into schools and kindergartens daily practice on outdoor learning, observe the outdoor lessons, and discuss with teachers on implementation hacks.
DAY 1 - ST. STANISLAV INSTITUTION STUDY VISIT Get to know each other, plan of the week. Background and research evidence of outdoor learning in preschool and primary level of education. Outdoor pedagogics: foundation, guidelines and principles. Practice examples: Social science, observation walk, afternoon in the outdoor classroom, natural science, adventures for children, special needs education outdoors. Presentation of my country: an example of an outdoor lesson, participants act as students. DAY 2 - ST. STANISLAV INSTITUTION STUDY VISIT Outdoor lesson planning: design, implementation hacks, useful resources. Integrating local environment into lesson planning. Workshops (each participant choose one): creative writing, teaching mathematics outdoors, outdoor education in preschool. Outdoor lesson planning: designing activities for school and kindergarten children. Natural Science in third grade. Green Career Education. Sustainability class: Involving students into preparing meals outdoors. Teambuilding outdoors: practicing mindfulness, savouring, forest bathing, the meaning of inspiring awe and respect. DAY 3 - PRIMARY SCHOOL MARIJE VERE, KAMNIK Outdoor teaching and learning: From first steps to an immersive outdoor experience. Outdoor teaching and learning – outdoor observation of lessons outdoors (2 groups – kindergarten and primary classes). Outdoor teaching experience: participants prepare a short outdoor activity for children. Outdoor teaching and learning: discussion with teachers on outdoor learning. + AFTERNOON EXCURSION AROUND KAMNIK AND TO KAMNIŠKA BISTRICA 
Source: sloveniaguide.si
DAY 4 - PRIMARY SCHOOL SOLKAN
Outdoor teaching and learning – outdoor observation of lessons outdoors (4 groups – kindergarten and primary classes). Outdoor learning playground for children development Discussion with teachers from Slovenia on outdoor learning. + AFTERNOON EXCURSION AROUND SOLKAN AND SOČA VALLEY 
Source: vipavskadolina.si
DAY 5 - INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND ACTION PLAN
Action planning: participants re-design their existing lesson plans by adding outdoor elements, participants create project-based learning session outdoors. Key learning points. Evaluation and farewell. Documentation and certificates of attendance. * Some changes in the programme are possible - the content of the course is always adapted to the participants previous knowledge, expectations and requirements. The participants receive the Informational Booklet a few weeks prior to the start of the course. |
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